Recently, I was suddenly saddened to hear about the passing of Zhao Zhongxiang. It made me inexplicably sad, and I remembered many old friends from the past.

This is completely a different matter, but seeing Zhao Zhongxiang's passing suddenly made me realize how much time has passed.

It suddenly reminded me of when I was just a teenager, we were so young back then, how could we have lived this long? Those people who are now eighteen with me, and even those who chatted with me just last year seem to be gone.

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I'm someone who enjoys documenting my life – paper notes from middle school, high school uniforms, university student records, and the chats and photos from my friends and from each year.

Many changes don't feel like much until you browse through the records of the past. Today, I just happened to come across a post from a long time ago, which contained a comment from my first friend I met in Suzhou, Xiao Ke, saying, 'She has become an 'S' icon.' When I clicked on her profile, it was locked. Suddenly, I felt an inexplicable sadness.

Last year, I went to Suzhou to work alone, and Xiao Ke was a colleague at the company. Her desk was right across from mine, and we exchanged glances several times during work hours. Soon, she brought me a lot of snacks and asked if I wanted to have lunch or go to the restroom together. She surrounded me with her warmth, which made me feel more secure in this unfamiliar place. The third day after I moved into my new rented apartment, I was lying in bed scrolling through Weibo when the power suddenly went out in the whole house. I turned around and saw a boy leaning against the window, and I screamed. He ran away, and I immediately called the landlord to check it out. He reassured me that it was just a power outage.

Back in Suzhou, I only knew Xiao Ke, and I was very scared. I called her and didn't hesitate to go to her side to spend the night. Later, we ate together every day, gossiped, talked about work, and went shopping.

However, I left the company for personal reasons, and contact gradually decreased. Now, she has even locked her profile, and I wondered if it was just for me, or for everyone.

I stopped writing halfway through, what's the point? Everyone will eventually leave, either early or late. Some departures even have no farewells. We can be sad, but we need to learn to accept it. I recently read a quote in a book: 'Life is very long, you waste the time and moments spent on me, making me seem precious.'

Thank you for accompanying me through those times when I needed you, making those lonely and monotonous days lively and warm.

A few days ago, I was drinking with friends, and it seems that we've become less open to sorrow and tears as we get older. We say things and immediately feel awkward.

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Inside, we have many unspoken things and a lot of content that we can't say out loud, but we all hold onto each other and cry.

A friend told me that her boyfriend cheated and broke up with her. It was so shocking that she didn't even have time to cry. I immediately looked back and started crying. I know how much effort and investment she put into the relationship. I don't know how she felt during this time, and she hasn't mentioned it in her social media.

They stopped contacting each other and stopped talking about it.

There's no need for public criticism or scolding. Adults are just wise, but it's heartbreaking.

Looking at these friends who are singing and drinking together tonight, how many years will it be next time we gather?

Suddenly, I realized that everyone is born lonely, even if you like to be surrounded by people, there will still be times when you're left out. You like two people but inevitably you're left behind. Even if you have a family in the future, friends and lovers,

But we still have many things we can't say and misunderstandings.

Conclusion:

Finally, I want to say to everyone reading this article: if you've persevered, been heartbroken, been diligent, and suffered, and still haven't contacted people, don't be sad. Maturity may be a gradual process of fading. Perhaps good friends have faded away, and old roommates have lost contact in a quiet and plain way. Many classmates and colleagues may not even remember your name.

But perhaps someone will still share their daily stories with you.

Because I've realized that today is gone, and tomorrow will come. People will come and go. You don't need that many friends, and you don't need to inquire about why people leave. Just smile and tell people thank you, thank you for being there.

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